This hearty and robust heirloom tomato sauce works with any tomatoes you’re able to find this time of year and is the star in this 30 minute pasta. We’re big on tomato season in our area and when we start seeing them in our CSA box, I’m always looking for ways to use them up and preserve them.
Ingredient List for the Hearty and Robust Roasted Heirloom Tomato Sauce
A flavorful tomato sauce is always something I make every year and this tomato sauce recipe is made from a short list of ingredients. Here is our ingredient list:
- Two Pounds of Your Favorite Tomatoes: We’re using the tomatoes that we get in our produce box, but you can certainly use your favorite san marzano tomatoes or any tomatoes you can find at your local grocery store.
- Garlic: Garlic is always a must in this simple robust sauce. You can use fresh garlic or garlic powder to substitute. If using garlic powder, start with 1/2 teaspoon and build from there to customize your sauce.
- Fresh Herbs: This time of year, fresh thyme is in abundance in our urban garden. I love using fresh thyme to make the most delicious sauce. You can definitely substitute for dried thyme if you don’t have fresh on hand. We’re also using fresh rosemary and sage for the sauce too.
- Fresh Basil: Another herb that we have a lot of in the garden this time of year. Fresh herbs give such great natural flavor to this robust sauce. This one is always a good addition and you can also substitute for dried basil if fresh is not available.
- Olive Oil: Because we’re using fewer ingredients in this sauce, opting for high quality ingredients is paramount. A good quality bottle of extra virgin olive oil is a must. I love the blends from California Olive Ranch.
How to Make this Robust Tomato Sauce
Using our simple main ingredients the process for making this robust tomato sauce is easy in approach and yields robust flavors. To make it:
- First thing, preheat oven to 400 degrees. Add tomatoes to a ceramic baking dish. Depending on size, you can slice the tomatoes in half or quarters. Spread tomatoes in an even layer in baking dish (measuring about 9×13″). Drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Layer the fresh herbs, shallot, and garlic cloves then cover loosely with foil so the herbs do not burn during the roast. Roast tomatoes in oven for about 15 minutes until blistered and soft.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta of choice according to instructions. Drain pasta and set aside.
- Once roasted, remove herb sprigs and skins of garlic off the roasted cloves. Place roasted tomatoes, shallot, and garlic in a food processor or blender. Blend everything together until combined. Pour the sauce into a large skillet and simmer on low heat for 5 minutes to allow sauce to thicken slightly and flavors blend together. Add cooked pasta and toss together to combine. Serve immediately garnishing with fresh parmesan and julienned basil.
A Simple Sauce with Many Uses
The best part about this sauce? You can use it for more than just pasta! Here are a few no-recipe meal ideas that help you to use this robust inspired sauce:
- Use store bought pizza dough (best option) or homemade pizza crust and spread this sauce which can make the best pizza sauce for a weeknight dinner. You can also use your favorite gluten-free crust and vegan cheese as alternative options.
- Mix a bit of ricotta and parmesan cheese with fresh herbs, toss with pasta that’s cooked al dente, and top with some cooked Italian sausage, sauteed red peppers, and shredded mozzarella then bake for a cheesy savory pasta dish that’s a prime example of weeknight comfort food.
- Blend the sauce with a couple teaspoons of calabrian chili paste to make a slightly spicy sauce if that’s your jam. Use in a number of your favorite pasta dishes.
- Use as a dipping sauce for bread or your favorite mozzarella sticks.
More 30 Minute Pasta Ideas for Easy Weeknights
Pasta can be so comforting and easy to make for a quick weeknight dinner. Here are a few more seasonal pastas we keep in rotation:
- Sausage and Ricotta Pasta Bake
- 20 Minute Pasta with Zucchini
- Easy Pasta with Broccolini and Sun Dried Tomatoes
30 Minute Pasta with Hearty and Robust Heirloom Tomato Sauce
This 30 minute pasta dish is made with a roasted heirloom tomatoes and garlic that we find in our local farmer's market every summer. The sauce is hearty and robust making this a great example of using simple ingredients that lead to big impact on the flavor front.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds tomatoes (cocktail, heirloom, cherry, grape) halved or quartered dependent on size
- 1 large shallot, roughly chopped
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 sprigs fresh sage
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 8 whole garlic cloves skin kept on
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 pound dried pasta of choice e.g. fresh, whole wheat, gluten free, lentil or chickpea pasta
- Freshly grated parmesan and basil for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Slice the tomatoes in half or quarter them depending on the size. Spread tomatoes in an even layer in baking dish (measuring about 9×13"). Drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Layer the fresh herbs, shallot, and garlic cloves then cover loosely with foil so the herbs do not burn during the roast. Roast tomatoes in oven for about 15 minutes until blistered and soft.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta of choice according to instructions. Drain pasta and set aside.
- Once roasted, remove herb sprigs and skins from the roasted garlic cloves. Place roasted tomatoes, shallot, and garlic in a food processor or blender. Blend everything together until combined. Pour the sauce into a large skillet and simmer on low heat for 5 minutes to allow sauce to thicken slightly and flavors blend together. Add cooked pasta and toss together to combine. Serve immediately garnishing with fresh parmesan and julienned basil.